ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINANTS OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN IN NORTHERN STATES, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed the environmental determinants of nutritional status of children under-five in Northern States, Nigeria. The study had one objective, one research question and one hypothesis. Ex post facto design method was used for the study. The researcher targeted 400 mother-child-pairs used as the subjects of the study. Data regarding Environmental Quality Indicators (EQI): (household type, structure, toilet and source of drinking water) was collected by using a questionnaire. Personal contact was used for data collection. Weighing scale and infantometer/heightometer were used to measure weight and length/height of children. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23 was used for data analysis. Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used for analysis and was considered significant at 0.05 alpha levels. The result showed that, 194 (49%) children had normal growth rate, 97 (25%) were stunted, 59 (15%) were underweight while 45 (11%) were wasting. The result further revealed that, significant influence existed between EQI and underweight (r=.711; P=<.027), stunting (r=.506; p=<.043) and wasting (r=.611; p=<.0081). The study concluded that, the nutritional status of children in Northern states, Nigeria was poor, and that environmental indicators of source of drinking water and household type significantly influenced the nutritional status of children under-five in Northern States, Nigeria. It was recommended that, government intervention should aim at provision of adequate water supply and promote traditional buildings combined with modern technology to ensure optimal child development in Northern States, Nigeria.